The surrounding shinobi, after hearing the exchange between Shinju and Kakashi, all showed puzzled expressions.
Could it be that Shinju was still holding back his true strength?
But he had already displayed the strongest Flying Thunder God Technique and multiple elemental jutsu—what else could he possibly be hiding?
While they were still in doubt, Shinju's hand seals began to change rapidly!
The next moment, the sequence of seals was complete!!
With a sharp shout, Shinju pressed both hands firmly onto the ground of the battlefield!
"Wood Release: Tree-Binding Eternal Burial!!!"
"Wha-la-la—"
In an instant, a massive and supple tree sprout burst violently from beneath the training field!!!
The pliant branches immediately ensnared all the Sunagakure shinobi on the opposite side, leaving them dumbstruck!
The branches and trunk then tightened, extending upward, growing into a towering giant tree a hundred meters high!!
Those who had been caught within the branches and trunk were now sealed away forever inside!!
At this moment, the entire Konoha group behind Shinju stood frozen in shock!!
Wood Release!!
ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!,Σ(っ °Д °;)っ,(๑ʘ̅ д ʘ̅๑)!!!
The legendary Wood Release once used by the God of Shinobi!!
Konoha had produced another Wood Release user!!
"S-so… incredible!!"
Even Might Guy, a seasoned jonin, couldn't help but exclaim.
With just one jutsu, he had buried every single Sunagakure shinobi on the field!
"This kid…"
Asuma, standing beside Kakashi, trailed off mid-sentence.
Kakashi simply shrugged.
"Don't look at me. I've got no idea why this kid can use Wood Release either."
"Anyway, there are still plenty of enemy shinobi that need to be dealt with. We also need to protect the spectators on both sides of the arena. Shinju, fight alongside us."
Kakashi gave Shinju a firm pat on the shoulder.
"But what about Gaara and the others?" Shinju asked.
From the conversation between the three Sunagakure shinobi earlier, he had sensed that some massive conspiracy revolved around Gaara.
If Gaara wasn't dealt with quickly, things would get very troublesome.
"You don't need to worry about that. I've already sent Naruto, Sasuke, and Shikamaru to pursue them," Kakashi replied.
"…Alright."
Shinju nodded.
Though he still felt a lingering unease, the main venue here had far more lives that needed protecting right now.
...
Konoha Village, main district.
After the attack on the East Gate, Konoha immediately entered a secondary defense state, evacuating all the elderly, women, and children into the nearest fortifications.
Naturally, this included the children from the Ninja Academy.
At that moment, Iruka realized with a headache that Konohamaru and his two friends were missing!
According to informed classmates, the three had most likely skipped out and secretly snuck off to watch the Chunin Exams!
"Konoha is under invasion, and those three just had to pick now of all times to sneak off!!"
Iruka was so furious that his teeth ground together, yet he had no choice but to search for them.
After entrusting his students to the other teachers, he rushed off toward the Chunin Exam venue.
...
Chunin Exam Venue.
On the rooftop battlefield of Orochimaru versus the Third Hokage.
Through the Four Violet Flames Formation, Orochimaru witnessed the very moment Shinju unleashed Wood Release!
This time, the greed in his eyes was completely undisguised!
Earlier, he had hesitated between Shinju's body and Sasuke's.
Shinju, though immensely talented—capable of using multiple chakra natures and even the Flying Thunder God Technique—lacked a bloodline limit of note.
Sasuke, however, possessed the Sharingan.
But the instant Shinju revealed Wood Release, Orochimaru was certain—there was no better vessel in the shinobi world than Shinju!!
Wood Release!
The same Wood Release once wielded by the God of Shinobi!!
Years ago, Konoha had conducted secret experiments to see if someone could inherit the First Hokage's Wood Release.
Unfortunately, the experiments were largely failures. Only one test subject had survived—Yamato.
Yet Yamato's Wood Release couldn't even compare to one percent of the First Hokage's power!
But what Orochimaru had just seen from Shinju's Wood Release carried the very aura of Hashirama Senju himself!
"You've been watching that child all this time… so it was because you wanted his body."
The Third Hokage spoke in a low, solemn voice.
Even back when Orochimaru was still in Konoha, he had experimented on live humans, seeking the path to immortality.
Judging by the situation now, Orochimaru's research must have borne some fruit.
After all, his appearance hadn't changed at all from decades ago, back when he first defected from Konoha!
"Yes… that child's body is simply irresistible."
Orochimaru nodded, his long tongue sliding across his lips.
"Only with immortality can one master all the world's jutsu. Only then can all the secrets of ninjutsu be laid bare."
He continued, his voice thick with obsession.
"Unlike you, Sensei Sarutobi. You've grown old and feeble. Your power is but a shadow of what it once was."
"No matter. Even so, it's enough to drag you down to hell with me," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied coldly.
"Oh? Do you really think you stand a chance against two former Hokage?"
A mocking smile spread across Orochimaru's face.
Earlier, he had used Edo Tensei to summon two coffins—inside were none other than the First and Second Hokage!!
At this moment, both Hokage stood within the coffins, their faces blank, like lifeless puppets.
And now, Orochimaru was about to infuse them with souls!
He placed special tags at the back of each Hokage's head.
Then he performed a complex series of seals.
The next moment, the two Hokage moved!
As the two walked out of the coffins, the ANBU surrounding the barrier were stunned.
"Those faces… they look so familiar!"
"Of course, idiots! That's the First and Second Hokage themselves! Their faces are carved into the Hokage Rock!"
"What kind of jutsu did Orochimaru use to summon the dead Hokage back to life!?"
"It must be the legendary Edo Tensei. That forbidden, sacrilegious technique… only Orochimaru would dare use it!"
"But can the Third Hokage possibly stand against Orochimaru and two former Hokage?"
"Edo Tensei robs the Hokage of their wills, so their power won't even be half of what it once was."
...
Inside the Four Violet Flames Formation.
The two Hokage, whose souls had temporarily returned, looked stunned for a brief moment.
"So we've been dragged back into the living world again? Some special technique must have resurrected us?"
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, clad in red armor with his long hair flowing, spoke.
"This is disgusting… someone actually used my Edo Tensei technique."
The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, in his blue armor and white hair, muttered with disdain.
Then, both Hokage lifted their heads and saw the Third standing before them.
"Sarutobi… you've gotten old."
Tobirama said bluntly.
Seeing his teacher again after so many years, Sarutobi Hiruzen's aged eyes welled with tears.
It had already been over thirty years since the day Tobirama died protecting his squad.
"I'm sorry," Hiruzen said with guilt. "I failed to raise my student well… and I've disturbed your eternal rest, Hokage-sama."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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